The Press., 1887-02-03
Our PrObate COurts.

No feature of the law relating to prop erty IS more interesting or more necessary to be generally known than that portion of 1t which respects the disposition of our estates after death. The necessity of a general diffusion of knowledge on this sub Iect IS evinced in the fact that most per sons in the course of their lives are called upon to become the personal representa- tives of others, or to transact business with such as are discharging such trusts. Many are called upon to discharge the responsible duties of executors and admin isthators others have the guardianship of minors, and all, with few exceptions, are devisees, legatees, or heirs-at-law. To all these there are rights, duties and liabili- ties appertaining, which are clearly de- fined by law, and which must be known and regarded, or manifest injustice will be the consequence. It is the opinion of those most conversant with the subject that the titles of all the real estate in the community pass through the probate courts in period considerably short of half century, and consequently depend entirely upon their proceedings and records. It is needless to say that the duties of 8 judge of probate are of a highly responsi. ble character, and upon the manner in which they are discharged depend essen- tially the titles of our landed estates. Of ten they are called upon to decide cases ID which nice questions of law are involved, and in which property to vast amounts is at stake. Many persons who have busi- ness to transact in probate office are in- experienced in the practice of the court, consequently most of its preparation de- wolves on the judge, and he has therefore frequently to discharge the united duties of party, attorney and judge.
 THE ORIGIN OF COURTS OF PROBATE.
 In the earliest periods of our govern ment these powers were vested in the "particular court" In 1866, when there were but four counties, viz. Hartford, New Haven, New London and Fairfield, in the colony of Connecticut, the powers were transferred to the several county courts. In the year 1898 thele was estab lished in each county district forum, consisting of the judge of the county court and two justices of the quorum, or, in the absence of the former, three justices of the quorum, for the probate of wills, the granting of administration and appointing of guardians, with full power to act in all matters for prerogative court. This was tho origin of our courts of probate. Any person aggrieved by their determination had right of appeal to the court of as which court was in 1711 super ceded by tribunal styled the superior court.
 The next change in regard to probate courts was iu l716, when it was provided that they should be held for the year en. suing by one judge with clerk. In May, 1720, 1t was limited to two years. Up to this period each of the four counties con- nlaok ka ok l and subdivisions began. #-..
 STAFFORD PROBATE DISTRICT.
 In the year 1759 the probate district of Stafford was created, and comprised the towns of Stafford, Holland, Wilmington, Somers, Union, Vernon, and the east part of Ellington as far west as the west line of Holland In 1926 Ellington and Vernon were divorced and made of the probate district of Ellington. In 1880 Holland and Willington separated and became the dis trict of Holland, and in 1884 Somers estab- lished her independence and became the district of Somers, leaving the towns of Stafford and Union to constitute the pro- bate district of Stafford. During the term of it's existence of one hundred and twen- ty eight years there have been twenty seven of its citizens elected to the office of | judge, their term of office and names being in the following list. Begin ming with the year 1759, there were elected
 Isaac Pinney, 1759 to 1791.
 Joseph Phelps, 1791 to 1798.
 Jesse Cady, 1798 to 1910.
 Eleazer.W Phelps, 1910 to 1911.
 Jonathan Barnes, 1911 to 1918.
 Calvin Wiley, 1918 to 1925.
 Jeremiah Parish, 1925 to 1880.
 Rodolphus Woodwork, 1880 to 1S43.
 Loren F. Waldo, 1843 to 1S44
 Zina Winter, 1844 to 1846.
 Rufus G. Pinney, 1846 to 1847.
 Augustus Moore, 1847 to IS49.
 Moses B. Harvey, 1849 to 1852
 Ingoldsby W. Crawford, 1852 to 1854.
 Marcus Smith, died in office, 1854.
 Miner Fenton, remainder of term to 1855. l Sidney F. Needh4m, 1855 to 1856.
 Solva Converse, 1856 to 1857.
 Chauncey Paul, 1857 to 1859.
 John Orcutt, 1859 to 1862.
 . Daniel F Fairman, 1862 to 1866.
 Samuel w. Moore, 1866 to 1868.
 F'. l.. Batchelder, 1868 to 1873.
 F. N. Andrews, 1873 to 1877.
 F. l.. Batchelder, 1877 to 1879.
 R. s. Beebe, 1879 to 1881.
 J. O. Booth, 1881 to 1885.